What are meridians?

“What are Meridians?” is a question that is often asked. The meridians, or channels, are Qi (energy) pathways which form a network which interconnect all parts of the body at a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine the body has twelve main meridians, each part of a pairing of Yin and Yang Organs. There are also various collateral and sub-collateral meridians throughout the body, as well as the Exceptional Vessels. The meridians can be thought of as rivers that carry the Qi around the system, while the Exceptional Vessels can be seen as reservoirs. Each meridian is also linked to the others by the collateral meridians.

Woodcut print of Large Intestine meridian.

The meridian pairings are: –

YINYANG
HeartSmall Intestine
Heart GovernorTriple Warmer
SpleenStomach
LungLarge Intestine
KidneyBladder
LiverGall Bladder

It can, immediately, be seen from this that, anatomically, we do not have a “heart governor”, or a “triple warmer” organ. Even though the meridians are associated with the physical organs they are involved in a much wider role.

Meridian Functions

For example, the Spleen meridian has the following functions: –

  1. Governs Transformation and Transportation.
  2. Controls the blood, i.e. Keeping it within the blood vessels and making blood from food.
  3. Controls the muscles and the limbs.
  4. Controls the rising Qi (maintaining a balance with the Stomach meridian role in the controlling of descending Qi).
  5. Houses the thought (Yi): thinking, studying, and concentration.

As the function of the meridians is to transport Qi throughout the body system, it can be seen that any blockages within the meridians will cause problems. The ancient medical text Neijing states: “The function of the channel (meridian) is to transport the Qi and blood and circulate yin and yang to nourish the body.” Various blockages, dependant on the particular meridians and points will cause various ailments. This can mean that, where diagnosed, blockages can be treated before that illness becomes fully manifest. As stated, the Qi flow in the meridians affects us at a physiological, psychological, and spiritual (consciousness) level.

The most basic meridian theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine: “As long as Qi flows freely through the meridians and the Organs work in harmony, the body can avoid disease.”

Spleen meridian

What are meridians. Diagram of the Spleen meridian.
what are meridians?

What are meridians, are they those thin lines on the diagrams?

Meridians are better regarded as energy fields that contain certain qualities. These energy fields overlap each other yet manage to maintain their discrete qualities while having connections to and influence on the other meridians. This is the observation that led to the founding of the Five Element Theory.

If we take Spleen meridian as an example:

21 Points
Element Earth
Aspect Yin
Time 9.00 – 11.00 a.m.
Shu point BL20 (thoracic 11 –12)
Mu point LV13
Key words Digestion, nurturing, and transformation.

What are meridians - Woodcut print of Spleen Meridian.
What are meridians? – Woodcut print of Spleen Meridian

Classical Functions: –

  • Governs Transformation and Transportation.
  • Controls the blood, i.e. Keeping it within the blood vessels and making blood from food.
  • Controls the muscles and the limbs.
  • Controls the rising Ki (maintaining a balance with ST’s role in the controlling of descending Ki).
  • Houses the thought (Yi): thinking, studying, concentration.

Influences

  • Via the Nurturing Cycle, Earth feeds Metal.
  • Via the Controlling Cycle, Earth controls Water.

So now if someone asks you “What are meridians?” you will at least have the basics!